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The Fiji-born flier has scored 129 tries in 198 NRL matches, most of them on the wing for Newcastle, although he was at centre in the Fiji team that lost to Australia in the World Cup semi-final last November.

Akuila Uate in action for Manly Sea Eagles. (Image: Getty Images)

Uate, who moved from Newcastle to Manly 18 months ago, also won five caps for Australia from 2011-12 and played State of Origin for New South Wales.

"We've had quite a few discussions with Aku and we're well down the line," Woolford said.

"Nothing is over the line yet but we're hopeful over the next couple of weeks he may commit to us.

"He's still doing a good job for Manly. He's being squeezed out because they've got salary cap issues.

Devils release Vatuvei

Salford have released former New Zealand international Manu Vatuvei from the five months left on his contract.

Vatuvei, who turned 32 in March, joined the Red Devils in July and played in the last eight matches of their 2017 campaign but severely damaged his Achilles tendon in a freak training accident a week before the opening match of the 2018 season.